19-Year-Old Rookie Likely Bet to Replace Patrice Bergeron This Season in Boston
PUBLICATION
Aaron
October 4, 2023 (8:41)
Finding a suitable replacement for Patrice Bergeron is no small task, but the Bruins seem to have discovered their new first-line centre.
Is Matthew Poitras the New Bruins' Top Centre?
Historically, the Bruins had a tendency to distribute their offensive power across two lines. While they had the ingredients for a "perfection line" with Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak, the trio often found themselves split between different lines.
The retirements of both Bergeron and David Krejci have left the Bruins without their central anchors. Initial speculations suggested Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle would step into these roles. However, 19-year-old Matthew Poitras has emerged as a surprising contender.
Must read on PuckReporter
From Being on the Chopping Block to Leading the Pack
Matthew Poitras, once viewed as an almost certain cut before the season, has recently played back-to-back games alongside captain Marchand and Jake DeBrusk – and his performance has been impressive.
In a recent conversation, Marchand drew parallels between Poitras and the star winger, Mitch Marner.
«He's a smart player. He's had a really good camp so far. He sees the ice very well. Competitor. He's not scared to go in the corners of the tough areas. He's definitely shown a lot of promise,
He's a great little player. He's got a bright future ahead of him. He reminds me a lot of (Mitch) Marner, the way that he plays. He's smart on both sides of the puck.»
Many are now projecting him to start the season on that first line:
Opening night top six should be...
Marchand-Poitras-DeBrusk
JVR-Zacha-Pastrnak
Matt Poitras has been THAT good in camp.
JVR Zacha Pasta
Marchand Poitras DeBrusk
Freddy Coyle Geekie
Lucic Beecher Lauko
Grzelcyk McAvoy
Lindholm Carlo
Forbort (sadly) Shatty
Ullmark
Swayman
Let's roll for the Bruins 100th!
Matt Poitras just made the Boston Bruins.
JVR - Zacha - Pastrnak
Marchand - Poitras - DeBrusk
Frederic - Coyle - Geekie
Lucic - Beecher - Lauko
Anyone talking about a 9 game trial, please respectfully shut up. This kid is ready for 82 games.
#NHLBruins
I really like the idea of
Marchand-Poitras-DeBrusk
JVR-Zacha-Pastrnak
The last time a 19-year-old played top minutes for the B's was back in 2004... his name? Patrice Bergeron.
Previously on PuckReporter
| POLL |
4 OCTOBRE | 144 ANSWERS 19-Year-Old Rookie Likely Bet to Replace Patrice Bergeron This Season in Boston Do you think Matthew Poitras could win the Calder? |
| Yes | 53 | 36.8 % |
| No | 91 | 63.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
Latest 10 stories
